Spain has accused Telegram founder Pavel Durov of spreading misinformation and attacking democratic institutions after he sent a mass message to all Spanish users criticizing government policy. In his message, Durov claimed that proposed new laws, which include banning social media for children under 16 and making tech companies liable for harmful posts, threaten internet freedom and could lead to a surveillance state.

The Spanish government argued that this unusual use of the app to spread propaganda proves why regulation is necessary. Officials alleged that Telegram’s lack of moderation has turned it into a hub for criminal activity. This dispute highlights the growing tension between European governments and tech executives, similar to the recent French investigation into Elon Musk and his platform, X. As a result, some European nations are passing stricter digital laws and using social media themselves to push back against these tech leaders.